The correct answer is: B. mutual fund.
A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment fund that pools money from many investors to purchase securities. Mutual funds are open-ended, which means that they issue new shares and redeem old shares continuously. This makes them a convenient way to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities.
Unit investment trusts (UITs) are similar to mutual funds in that they pool money from many investors to purchase securities. However, UITs are closed-ended, which means that they issue a fixed number of shares that are not redeemed. This makes them less liquid than mutual funds.
Closed-end investment companies (CEICs) are also similar to mutual funds in that they pool money from many investors to purchase securities. However, CEICs are traded on an exchange like stocks, which means that their prices can fluctuate based on supply and demand. This makes them more volatile than mutual funds.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are companies that own and operate income-producing real estate. REITs are traded on an exchange like stocks, which makes them a convenient way to invest in real estate.
In conclusion, the most popular type of investment company is a mutual fund. Mutual funds are open-ended, professionally managed investment funds that pool money from many investors to purchase securities. They are a convenient way to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities.